Episode Details

Episode 63: Tumor Markers Basics. 

George and Harendra discuss with Dr Arreaza the role of tumor markers in the diagnosis and monitoring of different types of cancer.  

Introduction: Recent News about COVID-19
Written by Hector Arreaza, MD. Participation: George Karaghossian, MS3, and Harendra Ipalawatte, MS3.

Before we talk about our topic today, there are three news worth sharing about COVID-19.

First, we are all aware of the increased number of patients affected by COVID-19 and increased mortality. Most of the patients who are severely ill or those who require admission are unvaccinated. The cases of breakthrough infections (infections in patients who are fully vaccinated) continues to be rare.

Second, CDC has officially recommended COVID-19 vaccination in pregnant women (August 11, 2021)[1].  All people 12 years of age and older is recommended to get vaccinated against COVID-19, including pregnant women. There were 2,500 women who received the mRNA vaccine against COVID-19, and there was not an increased risk for miscarriage. Vaccinated pregnant women (or persons) had a miscarriage rate of 13% (similar to the miscarriage average in general population, which is 11-16%).

Third, FDA gave an emergency use authorization for a third dose of mRNA vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna) for certain immunocompromised patients (August 12, 2021)[2]. The third dose of the vaccine (it has to be the same vaccine you received) has to be given at least 28 days apart from your last dose. Patients who may receive a third dose include: Patients who are undergoing active treatment for solid tumor and hematologic malignancies, recipients of solid-organ transplant and taking immunosuppressive therapy, moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (e.g. DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome), patients with advanced or untreated HIV infection, patient who are taking high-dose corticosteroids (i.e. >20 mg prednisone or equivalent per day) and other immunosuppressive medications. If in doubt, consult our oncologists and rheumatologists.

Let’s switch gear and introduce the topic for today. Given the high mortality and morbidity of cancer, in general, early detection of cancer is one of the most important goals in primary care. Today George and I will discuss the usefulness, pitfalls and will mention some of the most common tumor makers.

This is Rio Bravo qWeek, your weekly dose of knowledge brought to you by the Rio Bravo Family Medicine Residency Program from Bakersfield, California. Our program is affiliated with UCLA, and it’s sponsored by Clinica Sierra Vista, Let Us Be Your Healthcare Home. 

Tumor Markers Basics. 
By George Karaghossian, MS3, Ross University School of Medicine; Harendra Ipalawatte, MS3, Ross University School of Medicine; and Hector Arreaza, MD.  

Introduction:
Do you remember how we came up with the idea for this topic? We had a patient with an intraabdominal malignancy which appeared to be from the GI tract vs an adnexal mass. We order tumor markers to assist in the diagnosis of the origin of this malignancy. 

Definition: Tumor markers are usually proteins or other substances that are produced by cancer cells or non-cancerous cells. Circulating biomarkers and tissue biomarkers are the two types of tumor markers we utilize to track the course of the tumor’s growth. Circulating tumor markers are found in bodily fluids such as blood, urine, and stool. Tissue markers are typically found on the actual cancer cells. These markers can help in the assessment of certain cancers. The downside of tumor markers is that they are not always reliable, and they may not be detected in the early stages of cancer[2]. 

Characteristics of a good screening test: A good screening test must be ca